A/HRC/42/2 608. The United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation appreciated the engagement of Bhutan to democracy, free press, poverty reduction and national development. While acknowledging the challenges faced by the country, it stood ready to support the efforts of Bhutan in order to resolve the problem of internally displaced persons that live in neighbouring countries. It congratulated Bhutan for having engaged in reviewing laws and practices related to religious groups with a view to ensuring that all people are free to practice their religious beliefs. It further encouraged Bhutan to continue its cooperation with the Human Rights Council mechanisms, and cooperate pragmatically with United Nations agencies in several fields in order to step up the process of negotiation for the border issue, as well as the impact of climate change. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 609. The President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 220 recommendations received, 157 enjoyed the support of Bhutan and 63 were noted. 610. Bhutan thanked the President of the Human Rights Council for his leadership and guidance throughout the universal periodic review process. Bhutan also thanked all the Member States for participating in the review of Bhutan, in particular their support and friendship for Bhutan. 611. Bhutan also expressed its gratitude to the troika, namely Argentina, Austria and Bahrain, as well as the Secretariat at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for their support and cooperation. 612. Bhutan also thanked civil society representatives who participated in the adoption of the outcome of the universal periodic review of Bhutan. Bhutan took note of their comments and suggestions. In this connection, Bhutan highlighted that it had given increasing importance and space to civil society organizations in playing the complementary role in addressing many national issues. The number of registered civil society organizations in the country had increased significantly in recent years from 28 in 2014 to 58 in 2019. Bhutan stated that the increasing role played by them in Bhutan, particularly with regard to vulnerable groups, was also positively noted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. 613. Bhutan emphasized that national civil society organizations had been agents of positive social evolution and that the Government remained committed to further strengthening its partnership with them. 614. Bhutan stated that the biggest challenge was the lack of adequate resources required to fulfil obligations arising from being a State Party to international human rights conventions. Despite challenges, the principles of universal human rights are respected and protected in Bhutan. In the meantime, the Government continues to invest in the creation of the necessary judicial infrastructure aimed at ensuring a more efficient delivery of justice. 615. Bhutan also stated that it would now focus on the implementation of the recommendations. It was committed to instituting a national mechanism with technical assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor the progress of the implementation of the recommendations from this review. Bhutan expressed its gratitude to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for financial support during the universal periodic review process. Dominica 616. The review of Dominica was held on 9 May 2019 in conformity with all the relevant provisions contained in relevant Human Rights Council resolutions and decisions, and was based on the following documents: 93

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents